New from Virginia (EXT)

[EatinJDM]

Hey everybody, just picked up a 03 trailblazer ext 4wd a week ago. Got a lot of plans for it and hope it will be done fairly quick. Ordering markmc new 3", bilstein hd front shocks, bds rear shocks, and ill be throwing some 265/70s on the stock wheels with 1.5 spacers of course. Really wish I could go 285/70 as I have a few sets of those available to me, but I don't wanna hack up my new (to me) truck and could only afford the markmc 3" and shocks for now. I've done a lot of research on here before joining and really only have one question I'd love answered. Someone who originally bought my truck ordered it with the awesome gt5 4.11s in the nice EXT 8.6 rear but didn't order the g80 go figure. What would be my best option to get both wheels spinning? Definitely want a aftermarket locker and I've heard something about a lunchbox locker? Considering I already have 4.11s I'm not looking to swap my entire rear. I don't mind a full locker, I just want maximum traction(I daily drive a 99 camaro with a spool so I already know the drawbacks on the street) What are my options here? Also is there anything available for traction up front? Or am I just always going to be open up there? Thanks for any help, and sorry for the long intro

[jonbo2002]

Welcome Darrel, lucky you to get a 4.10. there are a few people on here that have done a aftermarket locker, I had the factory locker I am sure they will be on shortly with their options. Nice job rearing up before going with the parts you ordered, you made nice selections.

oh and where you from?

[EatinJDM]

I'm from Fredericksburg VA. Living in Colonial Beach VA currently. After reading about the cost to convert my open rear to g80 and the g80 still being open most of the time, it doesn't seem worth it to me. I definitely plan to do some real off-roading and want as many of my 4 wheels pulling as I can get. I don't want to wait for one rear wheel to spin before another "kicks in". By that time Id already be stuck :-/

[SmokeyMcBlazer]

Welcome aboard

[Aries]

Welcome! A lot of good experience minds on this site.
Here's what I plan on going with Powertrax No-Slip P/N 92-07863005

[Moots1288]

Welcome

[Moots1288]

I'm from Fredericksburg VA. Living in Colonial Beach VA currently. After reading about the cost to convert my open rear to g80 and the g80 still being open most of the time, it doesn't seem worth it to me. I definitely plan to do some real off-roading and want as many of my 4 wheels pulling as I can get. I don't want to wait for one rear wheel to spin before another "kicks in". By that time Id already be stuck :-/

that last statement is not necessarily true. You can most definitely lose traction without being stuck. And most lunchbox lockers work in that way I believe. So you can probably get an ss rear throw in a ARB air locker and keep it locked all the time.

[EatinJDM]

True^ but with the price of converting to g80 being more expensive than a aftermarket locker that's more designed fir off-road use, wouldn't that be a better option?

[Moots1288]

True^ but with the price of converting to g80 being more expensive than a aftermarket locker that's more designed fir off-road use, wouldn't that be a better option?

Yes I wouldn't advise you to put in a g80, but I was just saying that a lunch box locker does that as well just stronger and there doesn't have to be weight on the other tire for it to send power to the tire that is stuck.

[EatinJDM]

Thatnks for the quick replys, I don't know anything about lunchbox lockers I just remember the term from reading some posts. I see randys ring & pinion has a Detroit locker and yukon locker listed for my rear, they look fairly identical except the yukon being cheaper. Are there any other options for my rear?

[Cable810]

Welcome!!

[Diacom]

Welcome Darrel,

Don't let the term "lunch box locker" throw you. It is simply a term used for the simple fact you can remove your diff cover and install it quite easily. Very much like opening a lunch box and eating your lunch. This is compared to other versions you have to replace carriers, re-shim, run air/electric lines, depending on the type purchased.

If you have enough aptitude to replace your own thermostat or CV shaft on your TB, you most likely would be able to install one of the Powertrax no slip units for yourself.

[Trail X]

Welcome Darrel, with the EXT rear axle, you can easily put in a powertrax or a no-slip without much fuss. There is also a no-slip avaliable for the front diff, but it's not as easy to install.

The Powertrax and no-slip are both similar in their functionality. Unlike an open diff, they supply power to the slower wheel, instead of allowing the power to be lost to the wheel that slips. So you basically have a full-time locker that allows you to still make turns. The powertrax just has a synchro built into it that allows it to be quieter. The no-slip ratchets a bit when you go around corners, but with an unpowered front diff during normal street driving, most members here have reported that it's barely noticeable. From my understanding, you prob don't want a no-slip in the rear for normal street driving.

Glad to have another VA member. Keep an eye out for TECORE events, they take place in the area of harrisonburg, VA.